What stands in the way of media freedom, journalistic safety and independence and how to defend citizens' right to information in Europe? Public seminar within the project 'Safety Net for European Journalists'

On January 7th, twelve people were killed and several others were injured in the terrorist attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Although unprecedented in its gravity, the Paris attack is not an isolated episode. Across Europe, media professionals are too often threatened, censured, jailed, intimidated and this profoundly affects the citizens' right to information.

Also European journalists face fresh professional challenges coming with the rapidly changing media landscape, new market patterns, digital technologies and the economic crises. As a result, new problems pile on top of long-standing ones that have led to a decline in journalistic standards, media independence, and safety.

What needs to be done to create a new Safety Net? What are the lessons Europe should draw from the January 7th terror attack in Paris? What works, what doesn’t and how do journalists themselves deal with threats, violations and their own safety? What can EU institutions and governments do to uphold journalistic values and actually support civic liberties in a sector marred by growing public mistrust, shadowy business, political interference, and dwindling professional standards?

PROGRAMME

Host and Chair:Ulrike LUNACEK, Vice-President of the European Parliament

Panelists:
Luisa CHIODI, Scientific director of OBC
Tanja FAJON, Member of the European Parliament
Ivo VAJGL, Member of the European ParliamentKati PIRI, Member of the European Parliament

You are kindly invited to RSVP your presence by 26th January to segreteria@balcanicaucaso.org and provide all necessary details for the EP badge (name, surname, date of birth, nationality and ID number).